Pool construction should be done with much precision to make it safe to use and easy to maintain. The design and the materials used should be of high standard as they will dictate the lifespan of your swimming pool. When it comes to filters, there are three popular options: theDiatomaceous Earth, the Cartridge and theSand pool filters.

You need to consider several factors before settling for one that is suitable. Although some builders may use any of them for any type of swimming pool, the filters do not perfectly fit for all designs. Below are pool water filter recommendations that you will find helpful for your decision making:

The sand filter

Sand is the main medium used to clean water in this type of filters. Water is pumped to the sand bed where the sand helps to catch particles that are less than 25 microns in size. The automatic gauge tells when too much dirt has been trapped, which necessitates backwashing.

The main advantage of using this system is its affordability because sand is readily available. You may also carry out full sand replacements in a period of between 3-7 years depending with frequency of pool use. It is suitable for both apartment and home establishments.

The biggest disadvantage of sand filters is their poor efficiency in trapping smaller microns. That means you won't have a very clean pool. You will also waste a lot of water in the frequent backwashes which should be carried out on a weekly basis.

The Diatomaceous Earth filters

This is the most effective filter of the three. You will however have to dig deeper into your pockets due to the price of the system. The D.E powder in the grids is made of fossilized diatoms and traps the smaller 5 microns. Although it needs backwashes immediately the gauge indicates dirt build up, normally within a month or two, detailed cleaning must be done yearly.

It needs frequent backwashes due to its ability to trap smaller sized dirt. Some experts may recommend that you use it only at home so as to avoid high maintenance costs that come with using it at an apartment or publicly accessible pools. However, if you can cater for the repair costs, then you can use it in hotels, athletics clubs and schools. Lack of service will make the machine to break down within a very short period. The powder should also be replaced with every cleansing.

The cartridge filters

This system uses paper filters which can trap 10 microns on average. They normally run at a lower pressure compared to the other two and cover a larger surface area. They are quite economical because cleaning is necessary only once or twice a season. You will just disassemble and then run hose water on the machine in order to clean it up.

The paper filters can be replaced after 2-4 years and their spares are common, so you don't have to worry about repair costs. Although the initial costs of installation can be prohibitive when compared to sand filters, cartridges are very easy to use and maintain. They are suitable for both home and apartment or public facilities use.

Make sure you use a qualified contractor who can help you with selecting the right water filter. The size of the machine will depend with your pool size and capacity of the pump.